Garden State (2004)

It's not often that I break the mold from writing about "frowny" Burt Reynolds action movies from the early 80's, or over the top action, OR even sci-fi cult classics, but strangely enough I was compelled to write about a film that I lumped into the category of a "Chick-Flick" for so many years... The film is 2004's Garden State, directed by Zach Braff of Scrubs fame. This is a film that I heard so much talk about in my high school days, more from girls I had relationships with or talked to on Instant Messenger in the early to mid 2000's. Naturally I wrote the film off. I was still chugging down Scorsese films and Z-Grade horror trash, that I didn't think I could stoop to the level of watching something as bubbly as this. Fast forward to 2017, I'm 25 and like the lead of this film, still doesn't know what the hell to do with my life.

So on Saturday, after running all over the state of Pennsylvania buying $2 Blu-Rays from Pawn Shops and overpriced CED's from a Surplus Warehouse in Pottstown, I made my way home. On the way home a friend and I decided to stop at my local FYE. For some reason this film randomly popped in my brain. I walked into the mall with the goal of purchasing the film on DVD and I did for the price of $3.99. What followed was probably one of the best movie viewing experiences I've had in months especially in this genre. 

The film opens with Zach Braff's character, Andrew Largeman, a struggling actor and waiter in Los Angeles making his way home to New Jersey to bury his mother. We quickly come to realize he has not been home in years and has a somewhat estranged relationship with his father. After complaining about some head aches, his father, who also doubles as Andrew's Psychiatrist, sends him to one of his colleagues. While in the waiting room, Andrew meets Sam, who is wonderfully played by Natalie Portman. After a wonderful scene in which Sam notices that Andrew is an actor, she has him listen to her music, telling him that it will "Change His Life". 

During the doctors appointment we find out that Andrew's father has made Andrew emotionally numb for years from prescribing a series of anti-depressants. Andrew decides to go off of them during his time in New Jersey to have almost like a mental vacation. After the doctors appointment Andrew finds Sam outside to which he offers her a ride home. They go back to her house where one of the best scenes of the film takes place. In Sam's room she gets up moves around and makes a weird noise, to break the awkwardness inviting Andrew to do the same stating that "This is your one opportunity to do something that no one has ever done before and that no one will ever copy throughout human existence. And if nothing else, you will be remembered as the one guy who ever did this. This one thing" 

We see during the rest of the movie, Andrew and Sam's relationship grow, as they hang out and eventually go on a quest with Andrew's friend Mark which leads to a major plot point of the film which I will not give away. I don't want to give away the ending, but it definitely gives you a good feeling that things will be okay after all in life. Especially when you are in your mid-twenties and you are still waiting for life to really start. This film is a classic in every regard, and I regret that it took me 13 years after release to take it in. Although honestly, I think being in my mid-twenties now, it was the perfect time to watch this film. We all go through rough patches in life and sometimes we need a little reminder that things aren't so bad and can be better. The soundtrack shines as well with tracks from Coldplay and The Shins. It's been on in my car for the last three days. If you haven't seen this one, get it ASAP. 

CED Selectavision VideoDisc and other things.

Well it certainly has been some time since I have written ANYTHING. October to be exact.. The last film reviewed was Logan's Run I believe. So much has happened in life over the last few months, both in everyday life and my film collection. Mostly the time that has passed since the last posting, could be chalked up to laziness, but my new classes have gone into full swing so that has been time consuming as well. But enough about that.. Let's get right into film talk.

This is an RCA SGT-100 Selectavision VideoDisc CED player. What the hell is a CED Player you may ask? Well a lot of friends have asked me the same question over the last few months, so I will explain... CED was a video format created by RCA. CED or Capacitance Electronic Disk, originally began research by RCA as early as 1964. RCA was trying to produce a phonograph-like method to play back video. By 1972 this technology was perfected enough to record and playback about 10 minutes of an episode of Get Smart. The technology was not exactly perfected for commercial use yet. This would not happen until 1981...

Above are CED's in their protective "Caddy" The caddies are what protect the discs from mishandling. The caddy is inserted into a player, when the machine is in a "LOAD" position the caddy is then removed from the player, leaving the disc in the player, ready for you to enjoy. The information on the disc is then read by a diamond tipped stylus and projected on to your screen. 

For a variety of different reasons the CED format went the way of the dinosaur completely by about 1986, when the last discs were being manufactured. The players had stopped being produced a few years before. The video above will take you to an intro of a disc called Memories of Videodisc, a parting gift given to those at RCA that were directly involved with the production of players and discs. Why did it fail? A number of reasons. VHS and Betamax for one could record television and playback in a much more reliable manner, and as far as movies on disc at this time...LaserDisc was above and beyond the Heavyweight Champion of the two. Even with the caddies, CED discs could get scratches and dust in the tiny grooves of the record making films skip rendering some unwatchable. But who knows.. maybe if this technology was brought to market a year or so before videotape, it may have prospered for more time.

Enter CED Player #1. This is my RCA SJT-200 Stereo CED Player. It currently does not work. I purchased it on eBay for around $40 shipped, full well knowing that it was not working. I thought I could repair it. My assessment is that the stylus needs to be replaced, and the function motor that loads/unloads the disc needs to be replace as well. Thinking it was only going to be a belt, I am somewhat disappointed that a higher end model such as this is not functioning, but I hope to get it up and running this year.

This second player which was already shown in a previous picture was purchased in a lot with another non-working player with around 40 some odd discs for around $35. My only lament with this player is that it does not have stereo out, so I cannot enjoy the discs that are encoded with stereo or Dolby sound currently. Nevertheless this still makes me happy that I can enjoy the films that I own on the format for now. 

Finally... In other news, I was able to pickup a new AV Receiver for the low..low.. price of $12. My friend found it for me at a somewhat local Goodwill and I happily accepted it into my home. This is my first receiver that can decode Dolby Digital and DTS audio tracks. It is a Sony DA3300ES, and was quite high end in its day. It is missing the knobs, but my universal remote works with it just fine. Now I can enjoy my Blu-Rays, DVD's, and Laserdiscs much more than I was ever able to. I'm happy now that I own every commercially used video format other than HD DVD, a quest for another day! Below is a picture of everything hooked up. I hope to continue to write more often. Thanks for reading! 

Logan's Run (1976)

Imagine a perfect world with limitless pleasures, there's only one catch.... You won't ever see your 31st birthday. This is how society operates in MGM's Logan's Run (1976). Director Michael Anderson, gives us a science fiction experience that has now been remembered for 40 years. Over the Summer, I was finally able to get a copy of this film on Betamax in a large lot of films that I purchased. What I viewed in my dark room in the middle of the night was the reason I watch and collect films from this era.

Meet Logan (Michael York) a Sandman. He is part of an elite police force that prevents "Runners" from leaving the confines of this new society, where individuals live until they reach 30. After investigating evidence from the most recent runner Logan terminates, Logan himself is driven to do the same thing he has been trying to stop his whole life, RUN. 

At Logan's side is the beautiful Jessica (Jenny Agutter) She has promised Logan that she will take him to Sanctuary. A place outside of this new society, where they can live forever. Along the way Logan is on the runner from other Sandmen trying to stop them from leaving the dome, as well as a half man, half robot who tries to freeze them to death!! Everything from the practical effects, to a cameo from Farrah Faucet-Majors is a real draw. I love big productions when they are handled by MGM. They always seem to have such a grand set design and real pride in their films back then.

A wonderful score by Jerry Goldsmith brings it all together. The ploy may seem hokey to some now, but I was thoroughly impressed with the film. The ending wraps everything up nicely, in a way that you may feel your eyes well up a bit and a deep feeling in your chest. I attribute that to a wonderful plot combined with the moving score by Jerry Goldsmith. Stay up late, pop some popcorn, turn out the lights, and throw in a copy of Logan's Run. This is what it's all about!! 

For some extra fun, check out this featurette on the making of the film!

RONIN (1998)

It's definitely been a long ass time since I decided to take up my keyboard and blog about a movie. It also has been a long time coming that I gave my first Dolby Digital laserdisc of Ronin (1998) a spin through my Pioneer CLD-1070. So as I sit here on a Thursday evening wrapping up this film that is rattling my house with bass, I figured I would talk about it.

Ronin starts off introducing us to a ragtag bunch of mercenaries lead by what we gather to be as a member of the IRA, Deidra (Natascha McElhone). A team is assembles to procure a case. We don't know what is in the case. The team made up of Sam (Robert DeNiro) and a few other notables including Vincent (Jean Reno) and we are briefly treated to a Sean Bean appearance as he is emasculated by DeNiro over a cup of coffee and a whiteboard. (Classic DeNiro shines here)

Without giving too much away, we fast forward 45 minutes and DeNiro and Reno get double crossed by Deidra and her IRA friends once the case is procured. The rest of the film, we are treated to excellent car chases, great gunplay and a somewhat decent plot. Everyone is making a play for the case in this film, from the Russians to the IRA. Although sometimes hard to follow, the case in question has a bit of a "Pulp Fiction" feel to it as we do not know what is inside the case. 

I enjoyed Reno and DeNiro's relationship during this film. DeNiro's character seems to have been around the block as far as being Ex CIA. The two actors work together well and create a dynamic that keeps the film moving even when the plot gets a little convoluted. My laserdisc copy looks and sounds great, and still holds up well 18 years after release. The Dolby Digital sound rocked my vintage Hi-Fi equipment and added to the experience. The film is pretty accessible on most formats, so give it a whirl if you get the chance. I hope to be writing a little more now. 

Wall Street (1987)

Few movies give me a feeling of excitement on a first initial viewing. Fresh from the post office and into my Sony Betamax lands Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Money, greed, women, and the flashy lifestyle of a Wall Street high roller, is unfolding on my screen as I type this. Along with excitement, I felt the need to begin writing this post 52 minutes into the feature. Michael Douglas as Gordon Gecko brings charisma unmatched and makes Leonardo DiCaprio's characterization of Jordan Belfort look like a Wells Fargo Bank teller. Charlie Sheen, as the student of the master seduced by Gecko's wealth and power gives a good performance.

Enter Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) an up and coming account executive working at a firm on Wall Street. He spends his days with his moderately successful career, and giving his phone a workout calling the office of his hero Gordon Gecko, a major Wall Street player. After finally scoring a brief meeting with Gecko, Bud takes a chance and gives Gecko a tip on a court decision affecting his father's company in a positive way. Gecko is impressed with Bud and gives him the opportunity to generate more and more leads. Bud becomes wealthy under Gordon, as enjoying perks such as sleeping with an interior designer named Darien (Daryl Hannah).

These big gains and profits eventually start to gain the attention of the SEC. As part of a new idea Bud pitches to Gordon, Bud becomes president of his father's company Bluestar Airlines. Gecko takes advantage of Bud's plan and plans to liquidate Bluestar leaving Bud's father unemployed. Feeling betrayed this leads Bud to devise a plan of his own to get back at Gordon. Eventually it leads to Bud getting arrested for insider trading and a final confrontation with Gordon Gecko that is sure to be remembered.

Oliver Stone's Wall Street is almost as close to a perfect drama as you can get. The film definitely shows its age, but still shares some of the same dreams and desires we are seduced by even to this day. Money, success, and power are all things people have thought of throughout their entire lives. Wall Street shows the rise and fall of greed, wealth, and power. As Gordon Gecko says, "Greed is Good", but is it really? I guess that is up to the viewer. 

The Raven (1935)

KARLOFF reads the top billing on 1935's The Raven, but Bela Lugosi is in fact the star of the show. Paired up for the second time (The Black Cat from 1934 being the first time) Universal Pictures once again puts together a horror classic, in this pre code horror film. After recently watching a Bela Lugosi documentary, I have become interested in his films, not to mention I have begun to collect the Universal Monsters Horror Classics Collection on VHS. These tapes were released in the early to mid 90's in a catalogue form. Available for $14.95 you could pick up great classics like Dracula, House of Frankentein, and today's film The Raven. I currently only posses 9 from this line of movies, but I am always on the lookout for more.

Our film begins with a woman getting into a serious car accident. We learn the woman's name is Jean Thatcher, daughter of Judge Thatcher, a prominent member of the community. With a grave outlook, the judge seeks the help of renown surgeon (now retired), Dr. Richard Vollin (Bela Lugosi). The first time we see Vollin, he is quoting Edgar Allen Poe to a guest in his home. Obviously obsessed with Poe, Vollin keeps a Raven at his desk, which he calls his talisman. After much begging, Vollin agrees to perform the delicate surgery and successfully restores Jean back to health. Time has passed and Vollin begins to have an infatuation with Jean, and believes she owes her love to him for saving her life. Judge Thatcher learns of Vollin's intentions and adamantly discourages the affair.  

It is at this point we begin to see Vollin has gone mad over Jean and begins to set a plan into action full of torture and revenge. He employs the help of a man named Edmond Bateman (Karloff), a criminal on the run, who seeks out Vollin's help to change his appearance enabling him to evade authorities. Vollin agrees, but horribly disfigures half of Bateman's face. Vollin does this to make Bateman do his bidding, by killing the judge and her current fiance. Once his bidding his complete, Vollin would fix Bateman's face. 

Vollin invites the Judge, Jean, her fiance, and a few more guests to his home for a weekend dinner party. In the still of the night Bateman abducts Judge Thatcher from his room and brings him down to Vollin's Poe like torture chamber, complete with a Pit and Pendulum to which Judge Thatcher gets attached to. It is in these moments of the film, where Bela Lugosi really steals the show. The way Lugosi uses his facial expressions and his maniacal laugh, truly make you believe that his character is purely evil. We reach the climax and as you can expect Bateman has a change of heart and tries to help the characters in distress, which leads to Bateman getting shot by Vollin, giving Jean's fiance the opportunity to lead Vollin to his demise. 

Seeing a few of Lugosi's movies as of late, I would say The Raven is the best I have seen so far. There are also close seconds, of course Dracula being one of them, but Lugosi really shines in this feature. It is unfortunate, that Karloff was given top billing in this film, not that his performance is a bad one, but nowhere near as powerful as Bela. Bela would go on to do a few more pictures with Karloff, as well as some other Universal Horror films, but nowhere near the career Karloff had. It is sad that such talent was wasted. Screen this classic when you get the chance, for one of Lugosi's best performances. 

Sharky's Machine (1981)

Now that it has been around my 4th or 5th viewing of this Burt Reynold's vehicle, I think I can finally review it proper. When I think of an early 1980's cop drama, "Sharky's Machine", continues to come to mind now again and again. In June of this year, I purchased a Sony Betamax machine. As a favor to me, a friend of mine picked it up and played back some tapes on it for me. I also asked for a dub of "Sharky's Machine". Just making sure the machine worked alone, I viewed this title a handful of times as background noise. After the second or third viewing, I began to actually sit down and take this film in.

After recently getting knocked down to vice from homicide, Tom Sharky (Reynolds), begins to monitor a vice case full of corruption. Drugs, prostitution, and murder, litters the streets of Atlanta, leading all the way up to the election of the Governor of the State. Sharky starts surveillance on a call girl Domino (Rachel Ward). As time goes by we discover a crime lord Victor (Vittorio Gassman) has been controlling Domino's life ever since she was a young girl, but now she wants out. After a botched murder attempt on her by Victor's hitman, Billy Score (Henry Silva), she goes under Sharky's protection.

As you can imagine, feelings develop and what we are given is an action packed climax that leads to one of the single greatest stunts ever put onto film. This is a gritty Burt drama that leaves you wanting more of the same after the credits roll. Luckily this was one of a multi-picture deal that Reynolds signed with Orion pictures, with a few more films throughout the 1980's that would be considered a return to form. This comes highly recommended from me. With great shots of early 80's Atlanta, and a top notch score put together by quality musicians, such as "The Tonight Show's" Doc Severinsen, "Sharky's Machine" will keep you glued to your seat, and reaching for the tape again and again after your first viewing.